Applicants can update their application by logging back into their accounts. Once you log in, you will see a button labeled, "Update Application." If the button does not appear, it may be that your application is not far enough along in the process to be updated.

You can check the status of your application by logging in to the account created when you applied. You will receive an email notification when the status of your application changes.

A “Selected” status means a job has been offered and the applicant has accepted the offer. Selected applicants must complete the background check process, be sworn in, and take the oath of office before being officially hired. The swearing in process usually happens via an online meeting with the U.S Census Bureau.

Ineligible means that, at this time, you do not qualify for this position. There are a variety of reasons a candidate might be ineligible for a position.

If you have been fingerprinted and found ineligible following background screening, you can send questions to the Census Investigative Service at 1-301-763-2622 or 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

In some cases, depending on the reason for the ineligible determination, applicants may become eligible at a later date. For example, some applicants are ineligible because they are under age 18. Once 18 years old, the applicant could be considered.

Your answers to certain questions on the job application may prompt the need for follow-up. This is normal. To get back in touch with someone who can assist, call us at 833-893-2026.

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No. Not all applicants will be interviewed.

You'll receive a message through the application portal and by email asking you to complete a questionnaire. Responding to these questions will serve as your interview.

Because we need to fill hundreds of positions, we start recruiting several months before starting the interview process. Depending on when you apply, it may be several days, weeks, or months before we start the hiring process in your area. Not all applicants will be hired.

All applications received will remain in our applicant pool throughout the 2026 Census Test (unless you ask us to remove it). This allows your application to be considered whenever we have openings in your area. You may update the information on your application at any time by logging into the account you created when you applied for the job.

If selected, you will receive an email with information on completing your background check and hiring paperwork. These steps must be completed in order to move forward with the hiring process and prior to being scheduled for training. The process can take several weeks.

All selectees will receive a job offer letter by email.

Some employees are eligible for health insurance based on the position for which they are hired. If you are offered a position, you may inquire about health insurance availability at that time.

Typically, job offers are accepted or declined within 48 hours.

You may have another job while working on the 2026 Census Test if your job does not present a conflict of interest. Active-duty military members cannot work for the Census Bureau. For more specific information about what might be considered a conflict of interest, get in touch with someone who can assist by calling us at 833-893-2026.

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If you decline a job offer you will be placed back into the applicant pool for all positions for which you qualify. If you decline job offers three times, you will be removed from the applicant pool.

You can only be hired for one position at a time, but you can be considered for additional work if it becomes available in your area.

Once you decline a job offer, you cannot accept it later. Your application will be returned to the applicant pool and you may be offered another job at a later time.

Job offer acceptance cannot be delayed. However, if you are offered a job and are not available for work until a later date, call us at 833-893-2026 to get in touch with someone who may be able to update your status so that you can be considered as work becomes available in the future.

Not all qualified applicants are offered a job. If you have received a job offer and have not received a job offer letter, call us at 833-893-2026 to get in touch with someone who can assist you.

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The information on your application is used to evaluate your fit for a specific opening. Some applicants are a better fit for positions than others. The timing of a person being hired is also dependent upon the need in a specific area. Not all qualified applicants will be hired.

Yes. Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a background check.

The Census Bureau performs background checks and reviews criminal records as part of assessing applicants' past conduct and suitability for employment. All candidates who receive and accept a tentative offer for temporary 2026 Census Test jobs will go through a pre-appointment process. The Census Bureau will require each applicant to be fingerprinted. An electronic image of the fingerprints is sent to the FBl's Criminal Justice Information Services Division to determine if the prints are associated with a criminal record recorded in the FBI database.

Candidates will have the opportunity to correct inaccuracies and provide information requested by Census Investigative Services.

The Census Bureau takes public trust seriously and is working to ensure that temporary workers undergo the most thorough background check possible. All candidates who receive a tentative job offer from the Census Bureau will be required to submit fingerprints. Some candidates applying for certain positions will be required to complete a background questionnaire. All employees are fingerprinted and the fingerprint images are submitted to the FBI for processing.

It is the selected applicant's responsibility to fill out and print all required forms and bring them to their appointment. Applicants will receive information about how to access the forms via email.

Applicants will not be reimbursed for printing their background forms.

Applicants will not be reimbursed for travel to that appointment.

Applicants may contact the Census Investigative Services at 1-301-763-2622 or 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

After receiving and accepting your offer, you will receive instructions on how to complete the required steps and the deadline for doing so.

Attempt to obtain or locate the requested information or contact the Census Investigative Services at 1-301-763-2622 or 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for additional guidance.

If you requested an extension prior to the deadline, yes, you can submit additional information. Contact the Census Investigative Services at 1-301-763-2622 or at 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for assistance.

Once the reviewers receive a complete security package, the background check results will be determined as quickly as possible. Contact the Census Investigative Services at 1-301-763-2622 or at 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for assistance.

Applicants will not receive a copy of their background check results. If the Census Bureau receives adverse information in your security package, you will be given an opportunity to address the matter.

This could mean that adverse information was received in your background check or that clarification is required based on your response to a specific question. If you are contacted for additional information, instructions will be provided. You may also contact the Census Investigative Services at 1-301-763-2622 or at 1-877-591-3755, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, for assistance.

The Census Bureau considers your criminal conduct in determining your suitability for a position, but there are no general prohibitions on hiring ex-offenders. Several relevant factors are considered, such as the duties associated with any positions you applied for, the nature of the misconduct, how recent it was, and any evidence of rehabilitation. It is important to provide all the required information about your criminal record when it is requested. The only way to know if you are eligible is to apply.

There is no cost to you for fingerprinting services.

The employment confirmation letter you receive by email will contain a list of acceptable identification documents.

You will be turned away if you do not bring the proper identification described in the employment confirmation letter.

No. Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a background check, which includes providing fingerprints.

For more specific information on fingerprinting, call us at 833-893-2026 to speak with a Census Bureau staff member.

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You will be paid for training you receive after you are sworn in as a Census Bureau employee. Prior to being sworn in, applicants who are offered a job and pass the background check must complete pre-employment online training about protecting census data. This training is not paid.

You cannot be hired if you do not complete this training.

Generally, it is not possible to reschedule training. However, you can contact us about rescheduling. For more specific information and get in touch with someone who can assist, call us at 833-893-2026.

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Generally, reimbursement for training related expenses (mileage, parking, tolls, or other related expenses to attend training) begin after you are sworn in as an employee on the first day. However, if employees are asked to travel and spend the night at a location for training, they will be reimbursed for related expenses, even though they occur before being sworn in.

You will receive an email with instructions on when and where training will be held and what to bring.

The position that you have been selected for will determine your time commitment for training. You should have received this information when you were offered the position, or by email shortly after. If you did not receive information about your training, please call us at 833-893-2026.

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To discuss training needs related to your disability, please call us at 833-893-2026.

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If you do not complete the training, you will not receive a work assignment and your employment will end.